Lowcountry Headlines

Folly Beach candidates go head to head in a forum tonight

Candidates on Folly Beach are participating in a forum tonight hosted by the Folly Beach Voter’s Association at the Tides Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

Candidates have one last chance to garner support before the April 1st election.

This election is being closely watched after two candidates with a contentious past were pitted against one another.

Incumbent, Mayor Tim Goodwin, who has served as Folly Beach's mayor for 12 years, and former city administrator, Toni Conner-Rooks are the two candidates for mayor. There are six other candidates running for city council.

Last May, Conner-Rooks abruptly resigned from her position and accepted a $100,000 severance package because she claimed she could no longer work under “unbearable circumstances.”

Conner has publicly said that she felt forced to leave and had a terrible experience working under Mayor Goodwin.

However, during council meetings that were very heated at times, Goodwin has denied any maltreatment. Goodwin has stated he only asked employees to show up to work and not work from home.

During the forum on Monday, candidates will have one minute to introduce themselves. Then they will select an unscreened question and have one minute to answer.

The election is April 1. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

For those unable to attend the form will be televised on Comcast, Channel 2.